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replaced by The Complete Orzo the Clown Show DVD commercial as an announcer informs the viewing audience that the Monty Reigns Show is brought to you by you know who.

Chapter Five
    The commercial plays itself out on the small television in the band’s loft. Ricky sits before the TV, eyes wide. He shakes his head in disbelief, unsure of what he had just seen. Skeezer and Mona are behind him, packing up equipment in large plastic cases. Ricky turns, ready to inform his bandmates that goddamn Michael was just on TV and that a clown did something when the door flies open. Ricky changes his mind in a flash.
    Michael stands in the doorway, framed by the weak light of the naked bulb in the hallway. His head is hung low, guitar still strapped across his back. Ricky scrambles to his feet and stands straight as a board as if he were caught masturbating or something. As slyly as possible, he turns the television off with the remote control. Michael enters.
    â€œHi…Michael,” Ricky offers. At that, Mona and Skeezer stop what they were doing and look up. Mona’s face lights up, relieved that Michael is home. Just as quickly, it falls into a scowl. She returns to packing the equipment cases, a tad more violently than before. Skeezer saunters over to Michael. He is scowling and holds his arms out as he approaches.
    â€œThe proud eagle son returns!” Skeezer announces.
    Ricky half-heartedly suppresses a laugh. Skeezer crosses his arms and just glares at Michael, waiting for an excuse.
    â€œThat’s prodigal, dude,” Ricky says.
    Ricky is unable to contain it any longer. He laughs out loud. Skeezer, annoyed, turns from Michael to Ricky, unable to decide who he hates more at that moment. He finally gives up.
    â€œFuck you both!” Skeezer manages to sputter out before he stomps through the front door. “I gotta get the van.”
    Michael jerks a thumb at Mona and Ricky catches his drift. Ricky reaches in his pocket and pulls out a ring filled with different keys.
    â€œHe’s not gonna get far without these,” Ricky says as he jangles the keys. Michael claps him on the shoulder as Ricky exits after Skeezer. Michael slings the guitar from his back and turns toward Mona. He takes a deep breath. He approaches her from behind and gently grabs her shoulders. She stiffens at his touch.
    â€œMona…I, I don’t know…” he begins.
    Mona spins, getting nose to nose with Michael.
    â€œI don’t give two shits what you think, all right? This band is important to me, but not as important as you are and when you just flip out like that…it hurts, okay?”
    As she speaks, Mona jabs her finger in Michael’s chest, punctuating each syllable. Michael moves backward as quickly as Mona pushes forward. His foot gets tangled in some errant cables and he tumbles backward over a drum, his head smacking the floor. The noise is loud, sounding a bit like meat being thrown against a wall. Mona’s anger melts.
    â€œMichael?” Mona squeals as she rushes over to aid her fallen beau. With Mona’s assistance, Michael slowly sits up. Mona scans his face, his crown, and the back of his head looking for blood. As she attends to him, Michael’s face breaks out in a large smile. Mona notices and frowns, but only for a moment. She takes his face in her hands and matches his grin. They laugh and Mona plops onto the floor next to Michael. The laugh some more until the giggles die out on their own. The smiles remain.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Michael starts.
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI love you.”
    â€œI know. Me too.”
    Michael wraps his arm around Mona and she nestles into the crook of his arm. They sit for a moment, at peace.
    â€œWhat freaked you out?” Mona finally asks. The million dollar question.
    â€œNothing. It’s nothing,” Michael stares at the ceiling, unblinking.
    â€œDidn’t seem like nothing.”
    Michael takes a deep breath. He